Connecting rod



March 5, 1929 J. c. LEARY commc'rma Ron" Filed May 6, 1925 ill INVENTOR. JbH/r 6f Llswm ATTORNEY Patented Mar. 5, 1929.

UNITED STATES JOHN C. LEABY, OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA.

CONNECTING Ron.

Application filed May 6,

My invention relates to connecting rods arranged to be disengaged from the wrist-pin of a piston while the piston remains in the cylinder.

An object of the invention is to provide a com" 6 111;: rod of the character described arranged to have one or all of the various parts thereof removed or adjusted from the head end of the cylinder without necessitating removal of the engine crankcase.

nother object of the invention is to provide a connecting rod of adjustaliile length whereby the clearance space of the engine may be varied.

A. further object of the invention is to provide a piston and connecting rod structure which is extremely light and yet possesses the requisite strength The invention possesses other objects and features of advantage some of which with the foregoing will he set forth in the following description of the preferred form of my invention which is illustrated in the drawings accompanying and forming part of the specification. It is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the showing); made by the said drawings and description as I may adopt variations of the preferred form within the scope of my invention as set forth in the claims.

Referring to said drawings:

Figure 1 a sectional View of one cylinder of an internal combustion engine equipped with connecting rod of my invention.

Figure 2 is a top view of the piston shown in Figure 1 with the piston top end portion removed.

Figure 3 is a sectional view of the connectinnr rod taken on the line 3-3 in Figure 1.

Figure t is a sectional view of the connecting' rod and piston taken on the line 4-4: in Figure l.

Figure 5 is a side sectional view of the piston end of a i'm'ulitied form of the connecting rod of my invention.

Figures 6 and T are side sectional views of the crank pin ends of modified forms of the connecting rod of my invention.

One of the most awkward jobs in the repair or adjustment of internal combustion engines of the vertical cylinder type is work involving the pistons or connecting rods of the engine. The difiiculties usually met in such work do not usually reside in the mechanical immipulation involved but rather in the 1925. Serial No. 28,420.

problem of getting attheparts to be Worked on by reason of the fact that in engines of the types in most common use the connecting rod bearlngs may only be reached from the crankcase end of the cylinder which is usually the lower end. Such an arrangement as is well known makes it necessary for the mechanic to work from a pit or from a recumbent position and thus interferes with, the progress of the work to be done. In accordance with my invention however I provide a piston and associated connectlng rod by the use of which the foregoing difiiculty is overcome, to thereby eliminate any necessity for the assumption of an awkward working position by the mechanic. Briefly, the device of my invention comprises a connectingrod having the portions thereof releasable from their various operative relationships with each other, the piston and the crank pin, throurzh the cylinder and from the head end thereof, so th at work thereon may he performed entirely from above. 1 The device is arranged for use with a piston having a removable head and is so constructed that removal of the pie ton head will give access to the end of the rod for adjustment, or release from the wrist pin or the crank pin, as may be desired.

As here shown, the connecting rod 7 of my invention is operatively disposedin an en gine cylinder between the wrist-pin 9 of the piston 10, and the crank-pin of the crank shaft 12 of an internalcombustion engine 13. By forming the wall 14 of the piston of pressed steel or steel tubing, a light weirrht piston wall structure possessing requisite strength and at the same time providinga maximum space formountlngi a connecting rod bearing. Wlll be provided. The piston wall is provided with the usual piston ring grooves 16 inits outer surface and is arranged to have a head member 17 preferably formed of aluminum or pressed steel, removably fixed thereto. As here shown, the head 17 is arranged to be secured to the piston wall by means of the cooperative engagement of an externally threaded integral annular flange 18 extending transversely from the head with threads 19 provided at the head end of the inner surface of the piston wall, it being noted that when the piston head 17 is screwed into position, the bevelled edge 20 thereof will seat against the head edge 21 of the piston wall. Means are preferably provided .for preventing the unscrewing of the piston head,

and usher-e shown, such means comprises the provision of notches in the piston will edge 21 into which overlying portions of the edge 19 of the piston heztd nmy be slightly peencd or otherwise caused to offset. Removal of the piston is here shoWn arranged to be ettected by the provision of oppositely disposed sockets 23 adjacent the edges 01 the head or ranged for the reception of the prongs of a forkrench, the offset. portions of the head edge being preferablytirst raised.

In forming the piston of thin metal as here shown, mounting of the Wristpin bushin hich carry the Wrist-pin 9, which is preferably tubular, is pro ided by punching the shell at opposite points to provide inwardlyextending flanges or burrs 27 to which the bushings 25 injzty be welded or b 'azed, 21nd reinforcement ot'the lower edge 28 of the piston is preferably effected by rolling the edge inwardly to form :rflsinge 9.9. In this manner it will he noted that a piston of 13i11- ticiilerly light weight and durablestructure has been provided, and it will he further noted that access to the interior of the piston from the lieztd end may he simply effected by removal of the piston head 17 as hereinbetore provided. y

As here shown, t-he hend end 31 of the connecting rod is forked to spun the rist-pin, cooperating bearing blocks 32 and 33 being slidsbly mounted between the fork portions 34: and and longitudinally separable from each other alongthe line of the transverse diameter of their bore 3t, the latter being itl'ran sged to closely encircle the Wrist-pin. The bearing blocks are here shown arranged to be held in desired engagement with the Wrist-pin by engaging them between it thrust member 38 arranged to be seated in the crotch of the fork rind e screw-cap 39 engagi the threaded extremities of the fork portions i and Elf). the hitter beiir ot such WlC lt-l]. that proper holding engagement of the cap and fork mziy be insured. As here shown, the cap is 'lor ned with concentrii nnru'ilar flanges 3G and 37 extendin trom the some side thereof, the outside surhice of the inner fienge as being here shoirn thremled to engage the correspondingly threaded inner surface of the fork extremities and the outer flange urrzinged to siiduljily engage the outer surfaces of the fork extremities. The flange 36, it will also be noted. is arranged to here its edge it) bear on thetop surface ll o]? the upper hearing block U.uso tlnit 21's thecztp screwed into position, the outer block 32 may bel'orced r gs-inst the Wrist-pin With any desired force. In this manner, it Will now be noted, the engagement oi the Wrist-pin between the hearing blocks may be simply effected, and the cap, owing to the outer fla-ng'e 37. will prevent the spreading apart of the fork portions 34: and To hold the cap fixed against roere-0n, the former is here shown provided with u -lerrated edge which is arranged to be i i by oppositely disposed springs l? sui ily mounted on the rod end. Munipuhie tion of the cap by a. mechanic is arranged to he etl'ected by providing in the top thereof a square or hexagonal hole 48 arranged to receire it correspondingly shaped key of a key Wrench. In this manner, it Will now be noted. head end bearing structure for the rod has been provided which may be readily tXSSQIQ- bled, adjusted, or removed. such operations all being possible of accomplishment through the head end of the cylinder and piston. It Will also be further noted that varying the thickness or shape, or positioning of the thrust member 88 will vary the ellective length of the connecting rod, end :1 simple means is thus provided for adjusting the ole rence in the engine cylinder. To incilitote hendlin ot' the block 39., a threaded bolthole 49 here shown provided in the block 32 in which a stud bolt may be inserted when the block 352 is to be nnmipuhrted. The hole 119. it will be noted, it extended to the bore of the hearing as shown, may also serve as s hibricztting oil for the bearing 'n;; the operation of the engine.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, means are also provided for adjusting the crank pin hearing; from the head end of the cylinder. As here shown, the crank end 51 ot' the connecting rod is ln'ovided with :1. hearing cap 52 carry up; a; halt-bearing on thereiin the esp beihe; secured to the rod by means of bolts 5%. The remainder oil the bearing for the crank pin is provided in a hearing block 56 mounted for limited longitudinal movement between the cztp and the crotch 57 of a fork 58 defined in the crank end of the rod. Adjustment oi the position of the beani 56 arranged to be effected through a. rod 59 here shown oi" tubular section wind in threaded engagement with the block 56, end exteni ling longitudiintlly through. at bore (ll provided in the rod to a point udjzv cent the upper crotch. It will be noted that the crank pin bearing now provided is thus ar unged to be dtljto ed independently of the rod end end cap, which httternmy thus be lined together by the bolts i l without requiring the use oi shims between them. The rod 59 is he shown terminating in :in enlarged hre led portion ($2 of the bore and is preferably trztnsrei'seiy fiEUI 'GKl inwardly and outwardly to provide 2: smooth hearing 6; at the upper end thereof to limit its downward movement rough the bore 61, and to deline an axially disposed polygonal opening arranged for the recep ion zt correspond ingn shaped key Wrench.

The exertion oi required thrust on the rod "9 is urran -l. to be effected through the thrust produced on the rod and hearing 53 i u thrcahled incndier (3i enpu i tlneiids oil? the here portion 62, it he lilo that the member 64 is here shown underlying and supporting the thrust menibcr 38 ot the upper bearing structure. To provide for turning of the member 6+1, the latter provided with a polygonal perforation 66 arranged to receive a suitable key wrench. Adjustment of the bearing 56 to tighten it or take up Wear is thus arranged to be effected tit) by loosening the member (S l, unscrewing the rod 59 from the block 56 by an amount approximating the take-up distance, and then screwing the member (54 into its former set position. In this manner, it will now he noted, adjustment is arranged to be simply effected without changing the effective lengtl of the connecting rod. it being understood that the upper bearing blocks and their associated parts must be removed before such adjustment they be made.

In order that it may be held positioned, rcmovcd, or pren'entcd from falling into the crank case, the lower cap oi the connecting rod here shown provided at its lowermost portion with a pair of" cars 68 connected by a rod the latter p reterably lying parallel to the crankpin axis and in. spaced relation from the cap. In this manner, a strap may be passed around the lower side of the cap between the rod 69 and the ca for holding the latter as desired, or a suitalile tool having a wedge shaped cnd extending transversely from the shank and arranged to be wedged into the space between the rod 69 and cap may be used. In this manner, it will now be noted, the cap may be positioned and kept from falling into the crankcase when the hat ance ot' the connecting rod is disconnected therefrom. The cap bolts 54, it will now he noted, are. arranged with their heads toward the piston. so that they may be manipulated from the head end of the red by means of a socket wrench, and as shown in Figure 1, are arranged to be held fixed, when set, by means of springs Tl fixed on the connecting rod and engaging tinted portions '72 provided on the bolts adjacent their heads. In this manner, it will now he noted, thc'placing oi? a wrench socket over the bolt head will dcpress the springs and so release the belt for turning.

To complctclv remove a rod Formed as hcreinbetore dc.- cribcd. the cylinder head '75 ot the on nc would first be removed and the piston positioned at the top of its stroke. The piston head i? of the piston 10 would then be unscrewed, after which the screw-cap :59 ot' the connecting rod would be removed. the aid of the bolt 4.9, the block 32 is next lifted out. which now permits removal of the piston. With a supporting device fixed to the lower cap as described. the bolts 54 are then unloosed and the remaining rod as sembly may then be lifted off the crank pin as a unit. Assembly of a rod in operative position would, it will be noted, be accomplished in the reverse order to that for its removal, and it will be obvious that only those iarts need be removed which permit desired adjustments when adjustment merely is desired.

As shownin Figure 5, the head end of the connecting rod 81 is forked as in the embodiment of Figure 1, but it will be noted that it is provided with only one slidahle bean ing blocks. By forming the block 82 and member 83 of suitable materials, the wristpin may he allowed to turn in the bore 87 a bearing, in which case the wrist pin would be arranged to be held fixed in its piston. It will be noted that the member 83 may he termed to have its bearing surface, which forms part of the bore 87, at any desired distance from its seat engaging surface 89, so that the effective length of the rod may be easily changed by substituting a bearing of different thickness longitudinally of the rod.

In Figures 6 and 7 are shown ditferent means for holding the crank-end ca 90 on a connecting rod 91. As shown in igure 6, cap bolts 92 are utilized, the bolts being arranged to extend through bores 93 provided in the flange portions 94 of the rod to engage in threaded apertures 95 provided in the abutting portions of the cap. Such bolts. it will be noted, are thus arranged to be turnable by a socket wrench applied through the cylinder. In the embodiment of Figure 6, the cap 90 and rod 91 are arranged to be held in fixed relation by means of a reverse threaded bolt connecting them, so that adjustment to take up wear may be simply effected by turning the bolt from above by means of a socket Wrench. the bolts being arranged to be held fired by means of locknuts 98 bearing against the rod portion adjacent the bolt and alsooperable from above. Since the opposed faces of the cap and rod arc normally spaced, flanges 99 are preferably, as here shown, provided on the cap edges to provide a guideway or socket for the adjacent rod end.

I claim:

1. In combination with a piston having a. removable head and a wrist-pin engaged in said piston, a connecting rod having its head end formed as a fork and having oppositely disposed portions arranged to span said wrist-pin and define a longitudinally disposed guideway therebetween, a bearing member carried by said rod adjacent the Cal crotch of said torln ant. a second bearing member slidabiy and reniovably engaging; in said guideway, said bear-in members defining between thezn a her) in which said wrist-pin is arranged to be disposed.

2. In con bination with a piston provided with a removable head, a wrist-pin en 'agcd in said piston, and a crank-pin carried by a crank shaft; a connecting rod arranged to operatively *onnect said wrist-pin an d crankpin and ctnnprising torlred end portions arranged to respectively span said pins, guido ways a1" ringed between the opposite portions of each of said forks, haltdiiearings arranged to be filled at the ends ot the respective forked portions nearest id cranltebe'lt. halt-horny slidably engaged in said. guidcwavs and arranged to cooperate w th said first haltbearings to provide bearings for eaid pins, and means arranged "for the adjustable positioning oi said slideble haltdiearingrs rein the direction of the bee d end oi? said rod.

3. In combination with a reciprocahle piston, a wrist-pin engaged in said piston, and a crank-pin carried by crank-shaft; a connectino; rod arranged to operativeiy connect said wrist-pin and eranlopin and comprising adjustable and removable bearings for the respective pins mounted at opposite ends of the rod, and means extending; through said rod tor ettee 'ing adjustment of the crank-pin hearing from the head end thereof.

4-. A connecting rod arranged to operat've- 1 connect a Wrist-pin and crank-pin and comprising forked end portions arranged to spectively s ian said pins, guidewaye defined by and between the opposed portions of each tork, half bearings arranged to be fixed at the inner ends of the respect've fOllIFi, halt-bearslidably engaged in said guideways and arranged to cooperate with said first halt hearings to provide bearings for said pii s and means arranged for independently effecting the a dj notable positioning; or? said. slidable halt-bearings from the direction of the head end of said rod.

A connecting rod arranged to opcrativo 1y connect a wrist-pin and a crank pin and comprising a forked end portion. arranged to span one out said pi. e and defining a 101 gitudinally disposed guidowzrv between the opposed portions thereof, a lndebearingr arranged to be tired at on end oi; said gaidcwa m and a second ha t-bee rin :alidably engaged. in said guideway end rurrznned to cooperate with said first bait-bearing 1o provide a bearing;' for said pin, a hearin tor the other of said pins and means operable thr ugh eaid rod from said last bearing to eii'ect the adjustable positioning said slidable halt bearing i'idependently ot any adjustment o; l caring.

6. A connecting rod arranged to opera tiveiv cornect a wrict-pin and a crank pin and comprisi w forked end portion arranged to span one said other or said pins, a longitudinally disposed guioeway defined by and between the .ttiic rod arranged to opcratively i wrist-pin and a e rank-pin and proh ad ustable bearings tor the crank I wit. pin and means extending; interiorly through the length of said rod for cttecting ad ust- .he or: nit-pin bearing, from the head A rod arranged to operativelv ran and a crrnk-pin and pro- .1': l. i adjustable bearings for the wristpin and crank pin, said. rod being provided with a. longitudinal. perforation in which means may he ins-erred for adjusting said crenli-pin hearing from the wrist-pin cnd oi lependently oi? any adjustment of pin bearin (nroination with a piston having a and having head POILlOll thereof 'ble, connecting; rod having a longi- A ally e ending guideway provided at an slidably cully removable from .ewa and arranged to cooperate to e bearing for end pin and means le through the head end oi. said piston id head portion is removed tor adjustbearing. n combination. with i ionnectingg rod as a tori; and ranged to span udiuall'y thercbetween. and a bear- ;5 in said gruidm'a'av and i said r: are in whicl wrist pin i1 arranged to be disposed.

(r-dimmv vxhcreot l have hereunto. set Oal'laind, Ualitorniethis 20th JOHN C. LEARY. 

